William Kassouf eliminated from the Main Event and banned from the rest of the WSOP 2025 games

[Mig32]

I agree — it's good for the game. While Kassouf brought entertainment and controversy with his speech play, there's a line between personality and disrupting the integrity of the tournament. If his behavior crossed that line again, especially to the point of earning a ban, then the wsop is right to act.
Poker needs strong characters, but also respect for the game and fellow players. Setting boundaries helps keep the environment competitive and professional.

 

[5TR8 FLUSH]

I saw part of his tantrum on D'negs vlog and I would of been annoyed and entertained at the table. That guy should stick to online poker if he can't keep his emotions and thoughts to himself.

 

[EiXT]

Kassouf is entertaining for the viewers, but very exhausting to deal with in-person.

I believe that he made it worse for himself, he could have avoided the ban if he just walked away. Instead, he continued to argue with the floor after they gave him multiple warnings and penalties. It was no longer speech play, but a breakdown. I did not see that happen with Khabrel.

Just got to know when to STOP. Some will tolerate, others won't, so better not push it like Kassouf did.

 

[MK_]

Watch that clown and tell me he isn't way worse than Khabrel.
Puts it into perspective ...

I don't base my perspective on who I find more annoying... if I did that half the field would be gone..

it's about applying the rules equally,

a guy who routinely does the same thing and is routinely accused of cheating isn't banned,

the guys who chip dumped to a title aren't banned,

.... make it make sense👍

 

[moots]

I don't base my perspective on who I find more annoying... if I did that half the field would be gone..

it's about applying the rules equally,

a guy who routinely does the same thing and is routinely accused of cheating isn't banned,

the guys who chip dumped to a title aren't banned,

.... make it make sense👍

Why would they ban a guy accused of cheating? If he was cheating, then yes. But being accused of cheating deserves a ban?

How do you know that they didn't ban the chip dumpers?

 

[MK_]

Why would they ban a guy accused of cheating? If he was cheating, then yes. But being accused of cheating deserves a ban?

How do you know that they didn't ban the chip dumpers?

WSOP - World Series of Poker

@WSOP


The investigation into WSOP Event 53 has been completed. We have concluded that in order to uphold the integrity of the game and to uphold our official WSOP Tournament Rules, no winner will be recognized and no bracelet will be awarded for this year's tournament. The remaining prize pool will be split between the final two players.

.... no ban announced... for chip dumping... on live tv.... in their own tournament

"why would they ban a guy accused of cheating"

... for years... by multiple players... on live tv... in their own tournament.... I dunno man I dunno😎👍

 

[moots]

.... no ban announced... for chip dumping... on live tv.... in their own tournament

"why would they ban a guy accused of cheating"

... for years... by multiple players... on live tv... in their own tournament.... I dunno man I dunno😎👍

"... no ban announced"

You seem very familiar with the cheating case, so how did he cheat?

 

[MK_]

.... Yeah no ban announced, .... where's their public dressing down?, Martin Kabrhel has

multiple accusations of marking cards for years by multiple players, which may be something he

pretends to put players off their games or he may be cheating, also putting in the wrong bet amounts

repeatedly even after many warnings to stop doing that, which also may be something he does to put

players off their games, also been told many time to stop disrupting games, which again my be something

he does to players to disrupt their games, .... the rules should be applied equally is my point,

or yeah everyone could continue piling on this guy and pretend the other stuff doesn't matter 👍

 

[neverbluff0799]

Did you see this coming?​

William Kassouf Banned From World Series of Poker After Busting Main Event​

Quote from Kassouf: "I've never insulted anyone"

Pretty similar vibe then rhe CC games on 888 or partypoker latetly

 

[monte carlo 01]

The guy went completely crazy after he got eliminated. Feels like he was under the influence

 

[S3mper]

WSOP - World Series of Poker
@WSOP




.... no ban announced... for chip dumping... on live tv.... in their own tournament

If this is about the WPT Gold promotion winner, chip dumping is not recognized as a standalone rule in the WSOP it is however addressed in regard to collusion. However, collusion in the WSOP rules is specifically stated as (Rule 40b) "An agreement between two or more players to work together—through illegal or unethical means—to gain an advantage over other players."

Since this incident occurred with only two players left (No third party to gain an advantage over) it doesn't meet the criteria for cheating under WSOP rules therefore a ban wouldn't make sense. If it came out in happened with more than two players, then I would agree.

 

[moots]

If this is about the WPT Gold promotion winner, chip dumping is not recognized as a standalone rule in the WSOP it is however addressed in regard to collusion. However, collusion in the WSOP rules is specifically stated as (Rule 40b) "An agreement between two or more players to work together—through illegal or unethical means—to gain an advantage over other players."

Since this incident occurred with only two players left (No third party to gain an advantage over) it doesn't meet the criteria for cheating under WSOP rules therefore a ban wouldn't make sense. If it came out in happened with more than two players, then I would agree.

Daniel Negreanu said he heard that talks about a deal to split the WPT 1 million happened when there were 3 left, but the third person refused. So there was incentive by the other 2 players to knock him out. That person was knocked out and the last 2 made a deal. So it's kind of shady.

 

[S3mper]

Daniel Negreanu said he heard that talks about a deal to split the WPT 1 million happened when there were 3 left, but the third person refused. So there was incentive by the other 2 players to knock him out. That person was knocked out and the last 2 made a deal. So it's kind of shady.

I didn't watch the tournament so I have no idea if there were any suspicious hands that took place etc.. But how would this be different than any other deal talks that happens in tournaments all the time where a player rejects a deal and the others want the deal then once the rejected player gets KO'd a deal is made.

I guess sometimes deals are made anonymously but I don't think that's always the case.

Simply suggesting the deal and the third player getting KO'd isn't shady by itself but yes it creates a scenario in which the probability of collusion increases.

But so does piece swapping, staking, prop bets, family etc... Did the Foxen's collude when they were 3-way?

Would need actual evidence. But like I said I haven't been keeping up with this story and haven't watched any hands from it.

 

[MK_]

I didn't watch the tournament so I have no idea if there were any suspicious hands that took place etc.. But how would this be different than any other deal talks that happens in tournaments all the time where a player rejects a deal and the others want the deal then once the rejected player gets KO'd a deal is made.

I guess sometimes deals are made anonymously but I don't think that's always the case.

Simply suggesting the deal and the third player getting KO'd isn't shady by itself but yes it creates a scenario in which the probability of collusion increases.

But so does piece swapping, staking, prop bets, family etc... Did the Foxen's collude when they were 3-way?

Would need actual evidence. But like I said I haven't been keeping up with this story and haven't watched any hands from it.

Well it's different because this is the wsop, you don't get to deal your way to a bracelet....,

they KO'd the third guy to split the extra money and chip dumped the guy to the win when

he was way behind and the other guy had a good stack..., there were a lot of strange

hands that viewers noticed as it was happening, chip dumping is collusion, if they

need that pointed out to them something is very wrong, how is it this guy yapping and

stalling gets him banned but people degrading the wsop like that don't....

I think that's a pretty fair question👍

 

[S3mper]

Well it's different because this is the wsop, you don't get to deal your way to a bracelet....,

they KO'd the third guy to split the extra money and chip dumped the guy to the win when

he was way behind and the other guy had a good stack..., there were a lot of strange

hands that viewers noticed as it was happening, chip dumping is collusion, if they

need that pointed out to them something is very wrong, how is it this guy yapping and

stalling gets him banned but people degrading the wsop like that don't....

I think that's a pretty fair question👍

Collusion can't happen with only 2 players per the rules. But I don't think your argument for whether or not Kassouf should be banned hinges on this exact example, so I won't get any more into it. I think a better example to contrast Kassouf with is the guy who was using the solver between hands. (I also, didn't keep up with this story so I don't know if he was banned or not)

Personally, I don't think trash talking should be a bannable offense as long as it's not threatening and not aimed at the dealers or floor. Stalling however should be. If a player is constantly stalling it negatively effects everyone as they now see less hands, it's also just not an enjoyable experience. Instead of banning it could be argued to add shot clocks instead.

Now how about just being annoying? Though some may immediately lean towards no on this question I'm sure if one pushes the finger down on the annoying button hard enough, they may consider it as a yes. The problem obviously becomes it becomes unfair some people who talk a lot can be a joy to be around they are funny and lighten the mood. Then you have the Kassoufs where although at times can be funny is a lot to deal with.

From the WSOP perspective if the Kassoufs of the world are allowed to run wild in their tournaments they become less enjoyable to watch and play in hurting the brand. Would you want to be stuck at a table with Kassouf for hours and hours for days?

​

 

[MK_]

I obviously wouldn't want to play with him... but I don't want to play the guy with the solver either, he's not banned,

or the guy with the big stack chip dumping to the guy with the small stack to split side money, they're not banned,

or Martin Kabrhel with his accusations of cheating and endless stalling and yapping, he's not banned,

...if the wsop cared about it's image they would all be banned not just the little yappy stalling guy😎👍

 

[S3mper]

I obviously wouldn't want to play with him... but I don't want to play the guy with the solver either, he's not banned,

or the guy with the big stack chip dumping to the guy with the small stack to split side money, they're not banned,

or Martin Kabrhel with his accusations of cheating and endless stalling and yapping, he's not banned,

...if the wsop cared about it's image they would all be banned not just the little yappy stalling guy😎👍

Setting aside other examples do you think Kassouf should be banned on his own behavior alone?

 

[MK_]

Setting aside other examples do you think Kassouf should be banned on his own behavior alone?

... I don't have a problem with him being banned from the rest of this wsop from what I saw...

....it's more about the rules not being applied fairly especially concerning cheating/colluding,

the piling on as though he's the worst offender is ridiculous, it's mainly cuz he's annoying, which he is lol

 

[Highfish]

He's funny once or twice if you don't know him, but actually he's just annoying and holds up the game.

 

[S3mper]

... I don't have a problem with him being banned from the rest of this wsop from what I saw...

....it's more about the rules not being applied fairly especially concerning cheating/colluding,

the piling on as though he's the worst offender is ridiculous, it's mainly cuz he's annoying, which he is lol

Thats fair though the colluding thing wasn't collusion assuming it wasn't 3 ways. The cheating allegations are only allegations and there has been no evidence presented AFAIK. If he was/is marking cards surely the WSOP/Triton after the allegations would have been able to expertly examine the deck. But I agree and take your point that he isn't the worst offender and there are far worse people who should be banned. Such as angle shooters especially ones with a history. eg. "I raise oops I meant call my English not so good" *Flips over the nuts*

 

[hardongear]

Kassouf is entertaining for the viewers, but very exhausting to deal with in-person.

I believe that he made it worse for himself, he could have avoided the ban if he just walked away. Instead, he continued to argue with the floor after they gave him multiple warnings and penalties. It was no longer speech play, but a breakdown. I did not see that happen with Khabrel.

Just got to know when to STOP. Some will tolerate, others won't, so better not push it like Kassouf did.

"multiple warnings and penalties"
Just so everyone knows as I'm sure some do as it's been posted on Twitter by a number of pro players who'd be in the know. It wasn't just multiple warnings. It was pages and pages and pages of warnings just from this years WSOP events. The guy also has years and years of history of said behavior.

I think WSOP has been very tolerate of this ass clown. A lot more tolerate then I'd be as the WSOP doesn't need people like this that are less then 2% of the total population. WSOP and any business can easily survive without this trash.

Cheers!!!

 

[Jillychemung]

Here's a few of the published WSOP rules that apply to WK

Rule 40 C

All Participants are entitled to expect civility and courtesy from one another at every table and throughout the WSOP area. Any individual who encounters behavior that is not civil or courteous – or is abusive in any way – is encouraged to immediately contact a WSOP Tournament official. Participants who violate this rule are subject to penalty in accordance with Rules 40, 41, 42, 113, and/or 114.

Rule 46

Host Properties prohibit the use of obscene or foul language in any public area of the casino at any time. Any Participant who uses such language or makes a foul, profane, obscene, or vulgar statement, or speaks abusively or in an intimidating manner to another Participant, dealer or WSOP Personnel member will be penalized. These penalties will be levied based on Rules 40, 113, and 114.

Rule 47

Any Participant who taunts another Participant through theatrics or gestures or engages in any form of inappropriate behavior intended to disrupt other Participants in an Event will be subject to penalty in accordance with Rules 40, 113, and 114.

Rule 48

Participant or staff abuse will not be tolerated. A Participant will incur a penalty up to and including disqualification for any abuse towards another Participant or staff member, and the Participant could be asked to leave the property. Repeated etiquette violations, including, but not limited to, touching another Participant’s cards or chips, body, or clothing, delay of game and excessive chatter will result in penalties.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

Found a pretty funny Post of WPT on Facebook

 

[renisundernet]

Its a positive reaction imo not to sound harsh since I only ever see this guy on YT as an "annoying" show off, but maybe he was too obvious about it, or too blatant.

 

[shanest]

we need a kassouf kabhrel match up